State Fire Marshal Encourages
Illinoisans to Have Emergency Plans In Case of Fire
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[April 08, 2017]
SPRINGFIELD
– The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is
encouraging all Illinois households to take steps to prepare
themselves in the case of a home fire incident. The Office of the
State Fire Marshal recommends having a working smoke alarm and a
specific plan for your family in case of emergency.
“Planning and prevention are essential to saving lives in a fire
incident,” says Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “Because of
the speed with which fire becomes uncontrollable, families should
practice their response plan in advance and be prepared to implement
it.”
Illinois law requires every household to have smoke alarms within 15
feet of every bedroom and to have at least one on each floor of the
home.
Because most house fires occur at night while residents are
sleeping, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) suggests placing smoke
alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area and on
every level of the home. They also suggest keeping bedroom doors
shut to prevent the spread of smoke and give residents just a few
extra moments to escape a fire.
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Other tips OSFM suggests:
-
Fire alarms should
be tested monthly, and batteries should be replaced twice year
at Daylight Savings.
-
Families should
discuss and practice escape plans in case of a fire.
-
Include a meet-up
place that is a safe distance away from the fire.
-
Practice your plan
at least twice a year both during the day and at night.
-
Help young
children become familiar with fire safety and prevention steps.
For more fire
prevention tips, visit the USFA website. Materials for escape
planning are available through NFPA.
[Office of the State Fire Marshal]
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